Judge to rule on Clark suit

A woman seeking an extension of time to sue suspended Aboriginal leader Geoff Clark over two alleged pack rapes in 1971 was unaware of the psychological damage she suffered until 1999, her lawyer said yesterday.

County Court Judge John Hanlon will rule on Friday whether Carol Anne Stingel, 48, should be given the right to sue Mr Clark over her claims he twice led a group of six men in raping her. For her to succeed, Judge Hanlon must be satisfied she became aware of her condition within the past six years.

Mr Clark, suspended as chairman of ATSIC pending an appeal against a conviction for obstructing police, denies the allegations.

Ms Stingel told the court she contacted police after seeing press reports in 1999 of an alleged 1981 rape by Mr Clark.

But Mr Clark's counsel, Robert Richter, QC, had said several of her psychological injuries existed for more than 20 years. He said she had told various male partners since 1971 her fear of sex stemmed from the alleged rape.